HD vs SD Movies

Question

Level 4

2,545 points

HD vs SD Movies

Is there a significant difference between the way HD and SD movies look on the iPad?
I have downloaded a few episodes of the TV show "V" in both and could not see any big difference.
Thanks.

PC, Windows XP

Posted on Apr 23, 2010 12:44 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Johnathan Burger

Level 9

66,325 points

Apr 23, 2010 2:49 PM in response to swandy

On any screen the size of the ipad(or even up to 40"), you won't.
It's rather a pointless feature(unless outputing to a HDTV) that just looks good in the specs to those who don't know any better.

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Answer 2

Apr 23, 2010 6:34 PM in response to swandy

SD Movies look great, and it is hard to tell any difference versus HD. Space saved by sticking to SD content is significant as well.

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Answer 3

Jul 3, 2010 10:45 AM in response to swandy

I agree with the previous posts. I've just downloaded from iTunes two episodes of Doctor Who - one SD and one HD - and I can see no real differences on the iPad screen.

Are iPad users more or less unanimous on this or does anyone disagree? We've only had three posts on this so far (all on the same side) so I thought it might be interesting to throw the question out more widely and invite views!

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Answer 4

Ein

Level 2

410 points

Jul 3, 2010 12:44 PM in response to REKandler

If one can't see the difference, then it wouldn't matter which one.

But, technically a movie with equal or higher resolutions than the IPad screen will provide a better picture. A downscaled picture usually looks better than an upscaled picture (usually looked soft).

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Answer 5

sic0198

Level 1

10 points

Jul 3, 2010 9:01 PM in response to swandy

IMO SD movies look great on Ipad.

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Answer 6

Saw34

Level 1

0 points

Jul 6, 2013 2:12 PM in response to swandy

are sd movies good on 5th generation ipod.

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Answer 7

zachgutz

Level 1

0 points

Sep 8, 2013 2:55 PM in response to swandy

Does retina vs non retina model have any impact on the choice between SD and HD?

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Answer 8

Sep 8, 2013 3:51 PM in response to zachgutz

No.

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Answer 9

Jul 11, 2014 2:25 AM in response to swandy

I convinced myself HD was superior to SD enough to make the purchase, but halfway through the movie I realized that once again I had duped myself into justingying a needless expense. The SD picture is plenty, plenty good, takes MUCH less time to download, and takes up less storage space on your hard drive. I will never be getting a film in HD again, unless it's a major, major sci-fi special effects bonanza!!!

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Answer 10

asitrin

Level 1

13 points

Oct 18, 2017 5:59 PM in response to Johnathan Burger

I don't have anything to say in response, but your name and picture are "And I literally never say this: Amazeballs!"-quote from an episode. all i have to say

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