Topic: Which Way To Go?

[darkwing]

how can you compare something that is free and something you buy hehehe (HD rips from torrents vs BD), take note bat naging 9GB nalang ang 50GB na BD title? of course nawala ang lossless audio track diyan hehe

[stickfighter]

Sir Froot! Looks like we've narrowed down our options to just 2 units:
Oppo and PCH

[stickfighter]

Brader Froot, I came across this machine when surfing around...check it out! It's very interesting!

Link: http://www.egreat.nl

[Clondalkin]

how can you compare something that is free and something you buy hehehe (HD rips from torrents vs BD),

You shouldn't.  Just enjoy both if you have them both.

take note bat naging 9GB nalang ang 50GB na BD title? of course nawala ang lossless audio track diyan hehe

I dont have an AVR than can decode any kind of HD audio yet so I definitely do not know what Im missing.   Even then, I can appreciate that the experience would have been better particularly for some BDs like that of John Mayer's concert in LA or Iron Man.   But for titles like Forgetting Sarah Marshall for instance, I would rather have more pixels on Mila Kunis than lossless sound.   


BTW, the compression is mostly on the video stream.   Nevertheless, I dont think you can make the same analogy as that of "VHS to film transfer" or "DVD to VCD or DivX", unless perhaps if your HDTV is 65" or bigger.   But then even original BDs look more DVD than high def on 103" plasma.

[ricky]

Ok Frootloops, since you are now the owner of one of my 1st batch of Buffalos (binura mo na ba?), I'll share some of my opinions about MKV.

1.  First, I prepared that Buffalo when I only had about 100 or so titles.  It's now over 550 so imagine the potential savings.  I'm not telling you to buy another HDD from me.  I'm telling you that there are so much more contents available now compared to when I packed that Buffalo in Jan 2008...and the variety of high def contents available in the net is mind-blowing.

2. If you are a big fan of high def US and UK TV series, high def documentaries (National Geographic, Discovery Channel, History Channel, PBS Nova), not to mention high def porn, there is no better option than an HTPC and HD-bits.ro.  If you have an NMT, use that exclusively for playback.

My wife is subscribed to the PLDT 999 plan that can only reach about 100Kb/sec max DL speed.  Yet she manages (without complain) to enjoy all her favorite TV series in high def non-stop.  Local cable PQ is no match to the visual quality of these downloadable contents.  By the time they become available in BD, matagal nang natapos yung season.  And some of the high TV series and documentaries you'd like to watch would probably not be released in BD at all.

3.  Movies.  In most cases, the 720p and 1080p MKV encodes become available weeks before the official release dates of the BD.  In some cases, high def MKV encodes are available even though the titles are not even released (or will not be released yet) in BD or HD DVD.

4.  I have connected my PC to a 32 inch HDTV CRT, a 37V HDTV Sharp and a 50V Panasonic.  They all look high def enough (not certainly as "clean" as original discs, but certainly much better than passable) considering the video files are only about 1/4 - 1/6 the original.  Even 720p encodes look visually more stunning than any original DVD in my collection (well my Sony DVD players are not really that highly rated as upscalers).  PJ, I dont have so I dont know.

5.  Catalogue films - no matter how great some of them are, they are never as "tasty" as the first time you watched them on DVD, unless you've totally forgotten the story already.   I have no idea when I'll watch the high def versions of  LOTR, Matrix, Star Wars, Back To The Future again.   The motivation is simply not there.    Even for downloads, I get catalogue titles just for the sake of having one in my drives and for those who specifically request, but personally,  I tend to prioritize watching new releases as time to sit down in the living room is limited at nights only.   As for new releases, some of them really really s*ck like that recent scam, and not worth keeping in my own world.  But at least, the MKV encode is available for me to have a taste-test instead of wasting money buying the disk and regretting the purchase later.    

Seeing that you've got enough budget to get 2 different systems, I'd follow the Munskie path.    Selective buying of originals that you would really want to bring to the grave;  MKV for the rest  (I still prefer an HTPC but PCH or any NMT should be fine).

I hope I just made your day happier.  

PS.
I am more than willing to pay for downloadable contents if such kind of legitimate service (Apple TV, Xbox Live, etc.) is available in the country where Im living right now.  Unfortunately it's not, and video rental shops in Tokyo are not offering any BD films for rent yet.

Sir pati ako nako-convinve mo na. I just hope lang na free upload for life so Ill just bring my  storage sa shop then after a while puno na ng files,magic Does seller of popcorn hour offer this? si egreat kasi oo

[vtec3]

I just hope you dont end up being a scammer Hoy vic12 buhay ka pa?

  hindi naman siguro  nagamit din ba yung name ko ng scammer ?

Sir pati ako nako-convinve mo na. I just hope lang na free upload for life so Ill just bring my  storage sa shop then after a while puno na ng files,magic Does seller of popcorn hour offer this? si egreat kasi oo

ako din malapit ng ma convince na kumuha na ng PCH  malalaman natin ito after the 27th of this month 

[ricky]

hindi naman siguro  nagamit din ba yung name ko ng scammer ?

ako din malapit ng ma convince na kumuha na ng PCH  malalaman natin ito after the 27th of this month 

Ha ha ha. Congrats pare Basta kung sino mag offer ng free updating ng downloads will get my vote

[iiinas]

Ha ha ha. Congrats pare Basta kung sino mag offer ng free updating ng downloads will get my vote

i think meet ups and ebs then file swapping will a norm when the time comes. 

[sanmig_ph]

ako din malapit ng ma convince na kumuha na ng PCH  malalaman natin ito after the 27th of this month 

im sure bro maiinlove ka sa PCH

bro Frootloops get the oppo dvd upscaler 980 & PCH solve ka na dun promise

[Clondalkin]

bro Frootloops get the oppo dvd upscaler 980 & PCH solve ka na dun promise

I think that combination produces Virtual High Def and Pseudo High Def.  Di ba bitin?   

I think the combination of Genuine High Def and Quasi High Def cover both extremes of the spectrum better.  So my vote goes to PS3/BD Player and HTPC/NMT.

Sabi ng Sony TV Commercial sa Japan (literal translation) "Meron ka ngang HDTV pero di ka naman nanonood ng high def - sayang!" 

[sanmig_ph]

I think that combination produces Virtual High Def and Pseudo High Def.  Di ba bitin?   

I think the combination of Genuine High Def and Quasi High Def cover both extremes of the spectrum better.  So my vote goes to PS3/BD Player and HTPC/NMT.

Sabi ng Sony TV Commercial sa Japan (literal translation) "Meron ka ngang HDTV pero di ka naman nanonood ng high def - sayang!" 

bro kamusta ang dami mo na pala hi def

i recommend oppo kay bro frootlops kasi dami nya sd collection.
some hd rips vs original dvds are marginal in terms of picture quality, but some sd dvd might be more detailed in sound quality especially those dts-es soundtrack 

[Munskie]

I think that combination produces Virtual High Def and Pseudo High Def.  Di ba bitin?   

I think the combination of Genuine High Def and Quasi High Def cover both extremes of the spectrum better.  So my vote goes to PS3/BD Player and HTPC/NMT.

Kayang kaya naman ni Donnel to...kahit isabay mo pa oppo for his SD DVDs.    Di ba donnel?

[Clondalkin]

bro kamusta ang dami mo na pala hi def

i recommend oppo kay bro frootlops kasi dami nya sd collection.
some hd rips vs original dvds are marginal in terms of picture quality, but some sd dvd might be more detailed in sound quality especially those dts-es soundtrack 

Well kanya kanya lang priorities yan and we have to respect each others' choices.   But if my budget is limited, I would prioritize giving myself the chance to watch real high def stuff using true high def technologies rather than enhance the playback quality of my DVD collection, regardless of how big my DVD collection is, regardless of how good the upscaler is.  For one thing, I cannot even imagine myself re-watching many of my old DVDs due to limited time to chill out in the house, and the fact the new BD releases are regularly coming out, not to mention the start of new seasons of our favorite TV series in high def and a steady barrage of high def documentaries.  Kulang na kulang ang oras.

DTS is becoming a standard among high def encoders due to demand of the community.   Even those high def titles released 2006 or 2007 are getting re-encoded with DTS sound stream.

[dts-HD 3D]

Yep, iba pa din kung meron ka nung 3 kaso . . . gastus!

PS3 is the most affordable BD player you can watch new releases agad pero nakakahinayang naman gamiting upscaler dahil sa BDL failure 5K yata bagong lens at region locked pa . . . kaya bili ka ng Oppo para sa dvds . . . meron ka na oppo but you might find it bitin dahil di naman talaga hi-def at ma-realize mo yan kasi 90" screen gamit mo . . . bili ka ngayon ng PCH for watching catalogue and not-so good titles as well as great movies that are not avail. in blu-ray yet like Star wars, LOTR, etc. having PCH might minimize your BD purchases bili na lang ng 4 to 5/5 star movies for your BD collection.
Problema kasi maraming namamahalan sa blu-ray disc at hindi lahat ng movies ay available kaya ang PCH meron advantage . . . at kaya hayan dumami ang options.

[Alfie]

Question really has a simple answer.

You want High Definition, then don't settle for anything less, Blu Ray is still the Gold standard, anything else is an alternative.  

The only one that can give you high definition aside from the real deal (right now is only Blu Ray) is the HTPC,mainly for the reason that you can always upgrade your Video Card and also install a Blu Disc capable reader/writer.  

[ricky]

Sabi ng Sony TV Commercial sa Japan (literal translation) "Meron ka ngang HDTV pero di ka naman nanonood ng high def - sayang!" 

Ouch, para na rin nilang sinabi na "Ang ganda nga ng system mo pero puro pirated naman binibili mong pelikula at musika, worst is hindi ka na bumibili kasi kinukuha mo na lang ng free sa net"

For me practicality lang talaga and personal satisfaction ang dapat iconsider, ay pati pala budet Since wala ako budget,sd pa din for now Lokong mga HAPON yan

[Clondalkin]

Ouch, para na rin nilang sinabi na "Ang ganda nga ng system mo pero puro pirated naman binibili mong pelikula at musika, worst is hindi ka na bumibili kasi kinukuha mo na lang ng free sa net"

For me practicality lang talaga and personal satisfaction ang dapat iconsider, ay pati pala budet Since wala ako budget,sd pa din for now Lokong mga HAPON yan

These were what Sony meant.

1.  Buy a BD player and/or a BD recorder for your favorite high def TV shows.
2.  Buy a high def videocam
2.  Why are you using your HDTV to watch only SD?

Well if they were trying to look down at those people watching downloadable stuff (I dont think so), then Sony must not be aware of the many men in suit watching all sorts of video r*ps using their PSPs and their cellphones in the trains.  Katabi ko was watching House Season 4 last night and I told him Season 5 just started.  He he he.  I think kung legal lang ang MKVs, they would even advertise that you can watch MKVs on your fine HDTVs..  So Im cool with that advertisement 

[iiinas]

and their sony ps3 plays mkv too. 

[Clondalkin]

and their sony ps3 plays mkv too. 

Does it?  Diba it has to be converted to VOB first?

[frootloops]

Ok Frootloops, since you are now the owner of one of my 1st batch of Buffalos (binura mo na ba?), I'll share some of my opinions about MKV.

@ clondalkin, many thanks for the very detailed information. Yes, the PCH is now on top of my list. Sayo pala galing yung Buffalo nakuha ko, the movies are still intact, watched some of it, especially the Discovery specials at my PC and boy oh boy! it was really crystal clear. The more itch I feel whenever I think of it watching at my HT.

i think meet ups and ebs then file swapping will a norm when the time comes. 

Mas okay ito kung ganun, basta PM/SMS lang ang communication at ng hindi tayo ma-hot seat dito. 

Question really has a simple answer.

You want High Definition, then don't settle for anything less, Blu Ray is still the Gold standard, anything else is an alternative.  

The only one that can give you high definition aside from the real deal (right now is only Blu Ray) is the HTPC,mainly for the reason that you can always upgrade your Video Card and also install a Blu Disc capable reader/writer.  

Hello dear cousin,

I was gearing at first for a PS3 and PCH, unfortunately my PJ and amp doesn't have an HDMI, my present connection is VGA-Component, and the component cable of the PS3 is different, so malamang masayang yung pina DIY ko na 3 meters na compo, unless I upgrade my current CRT to a Plasma (lalo na gumulo..) para dun ko magamit. Now what I am thinking is to wether to just upgrade my PC or  get a PCH. I can connect my PJ to my PC right? Okay nga sana kung PS3 and PCH, you get 4 points (BD,Upscaler,games?,PCH), unlike the OPPO and PCH, 2 points lang (Upscale & PCH). No intention of replacing my Optoma PJ for now,sasaya na siguro ako sa 720p nya.

Kayang kaya naman ni Donnel to...kahit isabay mo pa oppo for his SD DVDs.    Di ba donnel?

Ilan na ba nabenta bag ni misis?      

bro Frootloops get the oppo dvd upscaler 980 & PCH solve ka na dun promise

Eh mukhang dito na nga ako babagsak....esep esep pa.    Hirap din kasi pag impulsive ka, and it happened to me a lot of times, bili dito bili doon, tapos hindi naman pala kailangan lahat. Ganda kung all (3) di ba?

Q. What will be the big difference of a PS3 to PCH/NMT in terms of displaying hi-def PQ (720p)? I know that PS3 is orig or should I say the real hi-def, the PCH is downloaded, compressed? DTS/DD only? (I can live with that). But when you watch it over your flats or PJ, will you easily distinguish which is which?

 

[sanmig_ph]

bro yung ps3 hindi pwedeng pang dvd marathon for upscaling player . magiging less ang lifespan ng ps3 lens

[stickfighter]

bro yung ps3 hindi pwedeng pang dvd marathon for upscaling player . magiging less ang lifespan ng ps3 lens

Brader Sanmig...thanks for this very important information. You just confirmed that I should "not" get a PS3. I am so addicted to films that more often than not, I watch about 2 to 3 titles a day...much more on the weekends!!! So given this, the PS3 will not work for me!

[demmet]

anybody have any idea how to decode dolby true hd audio? media player classic, VLC or WMP cant seem to play the english audio...

[john5479]

I was able to make it work through cyberlink powerdvd though I have doubts of its fidelity as apparently it downsamples everything upon conversion. Only tried it with the Nine Inch Nails hd dvd...yes hd dvd

[frootloops]

I would prioritize giving myself the chance to watch real high def stuff using true high def technologies

Are you referring to BD or DL's here?

[sanmig_ph]

Brader Sanmig...thanks for this very important information. You just confirmed that I should "not" get a PS3. I am so addicted to films that more often than not, I watch about 2 to 3 titles a day...much more on the weekends!!! So given this, the PS3 will not work for me!

bro i just get my ps3 for gaming & bluray movies.
but honestly speaking since the bluray software is way expensive & order pa sa u.s nag low profile muna tayo.
im watching 1 movie everyday so kung 1k yung bluray for 7 weeks you will spend 7k thats may sallary na  so honestly hindi ko kaya suportahan
so may combination pa din ng sddvd & mas affordable pa yung sddvd kasi dami sale ngayon.
kaya advisable pa din may upscaling player for your tons of collection oppo is a very good upscaling player.

now for you to experience your favorite movies & blockbuster hit in hi def, andyan ang PCH

kaya for the meantime since wala pa dito sa atin yung bluray software, combination of sddvd, bluray from the states & PCH;) & jack sparrow DVD9
if purchase ka naman ng bluray,pipiliin mo din yung bluray na kukunin mo kasi yung ibang pagka transfer hindi ganun ka ganda ang review
pag available na dito satin ang bluray software & less 700 masarap na ulit mag collect everybody happy

[stickfighter]

bro i just get my ps3 for gaming & bluray movies.
but honestly speaking since the bluray software is way expensive & order pa sa u.s nag low profile muna tayo.
im watching 1 movie everyday so kung 1k yung bluray for 7 weeks you will spend 7k thats may sallary na  so honestly hindi ko kaya suportahan
so may combination pa din ng sddvd & mas affordable pa yung sddvd kasi dami sale ngayon.
kaya advisable pa din may upscaling player for your tons of collection oppo is a very good upscaling player.

now for you to experience your favorite movies & blockbuster hit in hi def, andyan ang PCH

kaya for the meantime since wala pa dito sa atin yung bluray software, combination of sddvd, bluray from the states & PCH;) & jack sparrow DVD9
if purchase ka naman ng bluray,pipiliin mo din yung bluray na kukunin mo kasi yung ibang pagka transfer hindi ganun ka ganda ang review
pag available na dito satin ang bluray software & less 700 masarap na ulit mag collect everybody happy

I totally agree with you brader! I will not rush myself into getting a Blu-ray player as I feel, there is still more to come. The format is still, somehow new and we can expect better hi-tech Blu-ray players to come. Until that time, Oppo na muna and PCH!

[sanmig_ph]

I totally agree with you brader! I will not rush myself into getting a Blu-ray player as I feel, there is still more to come. The format is still, somehow new and we can expect better hi-tech Blu-ray players to come. Until that time, Oppo na muna and PCH!

brader my suggestion
1st PCH
2nd Oppo

[stickfighter]

brader my suggestion
1st PCH
2nd Oppo

Whoa! I was planning to get the Oppo first...why do you recommend the PCH to be my first purchase?

[milken]

I think the third choice should be changed from PCH into Network Media Player para mas generic so as to include Egreat, Elektron, HDX, among others.

I decided to buy egreat for convenience and as an energy saver.  DVDs are going to be a thing in the past.. just like VCD, VHS and Betamax.  I don't/seldom watch SD movies anymore.  Besides there are so many new movies in HD that I prefer to watch them than rewatch my SD collection.  Besides, the picture quality in HD is far superior than SD.  The audio quality is at par (Dolby Digital and DTS).  I'll buy excellent Bluray titles for collection such as Iron Man, Dark Knight, Godfather, LOTR, Indiana Jones (when available).

My suggestion:
1. Network Media Player or HTPC (PCs can upscale DVDs)
2. PS3 or other bluray player
3. Oppo or other DVD player