Blu-ray Disc Question

You have to buy a Blu Ray player. It is backwards compatible and will play your old DVD's also. I bought a Sony PS3 to use as a Blu Ray player and it works very well.

 

The only thing similar to a Blu Ray and a DVD is the size and shape.
on't think of Blu Ray as a better CD/DVD, even though it looks like that's all it is. Completely different technology. It would be like putting a VHS tape into your DVD player.

 

The big difference is that the blu ray discs can hold quite a bit more data, thus enabling the playback of 1080P movies. Your average DVD holds 4.8 gigs of data whereas blu ray can hold around 50 gigs. I think the DVD format won't be around in ten years or so as solid state memory gets larger and cheaper. Of course, let's not forget about streaming video. I have the Netflix streaming service and really like it. Just my two cents.

 

that and the lossless audio codecs so now we finally have some decent home theater audio for low cost. always hated the toslink format so glad to see it go

 

Actually toslink isnt the issue. Toslink is only the physical data connection. it doesn't matter if its toslink, coaxial SDI or MM/SM fiber - those are just physical pathways to move the content. Toslink is actually fully capable of supporting the bandwidth necessary for compressed lossless Dolby True-HD and DTS HD-MA (the only two lossless audio codecs that blu-ray supports) - its just that toslink is slowly being phased out (even with the newer bandwidth toslink). but its not the toslink that limits the lossless codecs, its that we've never had lossless codecs on a medium for mass distribution before and after we've gotten it - its taken quite awhile due to PAP (protected audio pathways - read HDCP/HDMI versions).

 

Yeah, what he (^) said!

Okay, who should I call when I start outfitting my home theater room?

"220, 221, whatever it takes!"

 

Sure but toslink is attached to S/PDIF interfaces which max out around 9.2 mbps. TrueHD approaches 18 mbps and Mch PCM starts around 35 mbps. S/PIDF is almost 30 years old. I think it's time to move on.

 

Actually toslink is capable of 125Mbit/s. It was originally like 3mb or something but is now up there. Like i said, its not toslink that is the issue.

If you use that line of thought then coaxial should go by the wayside as thats much older than toslink. . . In terms of coaxial connections, I would much prefer HD-SDI (which is over coax) than hdmi. Coax is decades old and SDI over coax can run hundreds of feet over the lousy brand new hdmi interface which is limited to 40-50ft. . .

 

My biggest gripe, aside from the fact that the HDMI connector is poorly designed, is the absence of free-standing processors that can decode lossless audio formats. I know that this can be done on-board the player, but would prefer-if we are going to the trouble of better audio-to have a higher grade processor than that packed into a modest piece of consumer electronics. Haven't payed alot of attention to this recently, since the audio in movies is largely a pastiche of cobbled together sounds, and not very 'pure' for listening anyway, but noticed that Meridian finally introduced a processor which apparently does the outboard decoding.
The industry at large was tres stupid for introducing the next generation of consumer A/V through a format war. I have had BluRay since quite early on and it is, on well mastered discs, quite wonderful to watch on a large projection system. Below is the equipment bay for the video system. (My listening system is completely separate, and not rack mounted).
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Ah, I see a Sony PC-1271 switcher...I remember when I used to run one of those (with a half dozen input cards). Brings back memories Whart.

As for DVD, DVDs can hold just under 8GB of data with Dual-Layer (and how most movies are shipped). And those that enjoy their "HD picture" from satellite or cable (FiOS seems to be the only one that isn't doing this), you'd be surprised to learn the picture is so compressed, most movies would fit on a dual-layer DVD.

 

Yep, Sony switcher is at this point just taking up rack space. Used to use it as a line-doubler, back in the day when the Faroudja cost 20k dollars. Been using an HD Leeza for some years with good results, but at this point, with BluRay, even the Leeza is becoming less necessary. I still use it for switching in the digital domain, and it enables me to have a single cable to the projector- ceiling mounted- with a fairly elaborate input bay that is readily accessible.
I haven't done too much to upgrade the audio for video system in years- mostly tube amps (audio research), a big brute McIntosh amp for a couple channels (that also serves as a back-up amp since it is largely bulletproof); an old Meridian SS processor, a pair of Velodynes and an aging set of 5 Snell dynamic speakers used for front, center and surround. The system is more than adequate for movies, which is all that it is meant for.

 

I used to run a PC-1271 to a JVC G-11 DILA projector. RGBHV input on the JVC was sharper, more natural color wise, etc. than component video (and yep, was fully calibrated). So I used to run everything RGBHV to it, and the PC-1271 was the best option. I enjoyed hunting on Ebay for RGBHV cards when possible. But yes, not really worth anything anymore. Used to run my DVD player, MUSE LD setup, DirecTV box, everything was RGBHV, including my Xbox.

Have scaled way back these days due to current living situation. How I do miss my Lexicon MC-12 and Atlantic Technology System 450 speakers. I have a new JVC projector sitting in a box, dying to hook it up, but waiting for a house.