BluRay vs. AppleTV???

Question

Level 1

63 points

BluRay vs. AppleTV???

Hello,

Which is the superior format - BluRay or the "old"AppleTV HD - when it comes to picture and audio quality?

Are they evenly matched?

I know such things can vary between movies and TV shows, and on the equipment used to view and listen, but I was just hoping to get the general opinion.

And will this new push of rental only on the new AppleTV lessen the chances of more HD movies being available to buy?

Regards.

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Posted on Sep 2, 2010 1:53 PM

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Answer 1

OzziesMAC

Level 2

183 points

Sep 2, 2010 2:02 PM in response to NeddySeagoon

Hardly.

1080P with uncompressed audio on a blu-ray player is way better than anything Apple TV 2 can put out. However that said the proper set up with a Blu-ray player is more expensive, and if your TV and audio system can't take full advantage of wht Blu-ray has to offer your missing all the quality.

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Answer 2

NeddySeagoon Author

Level 1

63 points

Sep 2, 2010 2:01 PM in response to NeddySeagoon

I was just looking up the specs for the current AppleTV.

Video formats supported
H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store): Up to 5 Mbps, Progressive Main Profile (CAVLC) with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 1280 by 720 pixels at 24 fps, 960 by 540 pixels at 30 fps) in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
iTunes Store purchased video: 320 by 240 pixels, 640 by 480 pixels, 720 by 480 pixels (anamorphic), or high-definition 720p
MPEG-4: Up to 3 Mbps, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 720 by 432 pixels at 30 fps) in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

I not very "techie" (|I can work these devices but I don't know how they work 😀 ), but is "720p" the best AppleTV gets?
Isn't that half the resolution of BluRay?

I check my AppleTV at the moment, but I thought that it was currently set to 1080p .

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Answer 3

OzziesMAC

Level 2

183 points

Sep 2, 2010 2:04 PM in response to NeddySeagoon

720P is the best it provides and my understanding it will never be able to play uncompressed audio like a BR player.

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Answer 4

NeddySeagoon Author

Level 1

63 points

Sep 2, 2010 2:19 PM in response to OzziesMAC

OzziesMAC wrote:
Hardly.

1080P with uncompressed audio on a blu-ray player
is way better than anything Apple TV 2 can put out.
However the set up is more expensive and if your TV
and audio system can't take full advantage of wht Blu-ray
has to offer your missing the quality.

Thanks.

I was wondering if there was any need beyond extras and DTS audio for choosing BluRay instead.

I've never seen BluRay in action, but with it being better than AppleTV HD, then there are a few movies I'll definitely get on BluRay.

Our TV is a first class HD television and I've been reliably informed that my sound system may be old, but is more than up to the job and can take on any young whipper-snappers 😀

That being said, AppleTV gives a superb picture and is great for renting and my DVD collection looks great with my upscaling DVD player.

I can find a use for all three together. 😀

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Answer 5

OzziesMAC

Level 2

183 points

Sep 2, 2010 2:47 PM in response to NeddySeagoon

I am sure what you have is nice and as long as one is happy with their gear that is truly the bottom line. However 1080P with uncopressed audio being played on the proper gear will blow the doors out of 720P with compressed audio any time.

The AppleTV will do the job and it will probably hold a place where DIVX (circuit city) failed. I do see it as a usefull device however when that prized movie that I have been waiting for comes out I will get the Blu-ray and fire up the equipment that does a bit more than the job. 😀

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Answer 6

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,560 points

Sep 2, 2010 2:51 PM in response to NeddySeagoon

NeddySeagoon wrote:
And will this new push of rental only on the new AppleTV lessen the chances of more HD movies being available to buy?

The chances of buying HD movies are already zero if you live outside the US.

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Answer 7

Ziatron

Level 5

4,214 points

Sep 2, 2010 3:21 PM in response to Alley_Cat

The chances of buying HD movies are already zero if you live outside the US.

HD movies are now more commen in the US than SD movies.

Why not just buy your HD movies and a player from the U.S. ?

I hear every day that we are living in a global economy.

I see that the UK Amazon store has a Blu-ray site with lots of movies for sale.

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Answer 8

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,560 points

Sep 2, 2010 3:20 PM in response to Ziatron

Ziatron wrote:

The chances of buying HD movies are already zero if you live outside the US.

HD movies are now more commen in the US than SD movies.

Why not just buy your HD movies and a player from the U.S. ?

I hear every day that we are living in a global economy.

I meant HD purchases through regional iTunes Stores

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Answer 9

OzziesMAC

Level 2

183 points

Sep 2, 2010 3:22 PM in response to Ziatron

I do! Well over 400 Blu-rays at this time however the renting option is nice when you want to see something that may not be worth your purchase. The rental market will always be around and Apple TV will fill that niche.

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Answer 10

Ziatron

Level 5

4,214 points

Sep 2, 2010 3:22 PM in response to Alley_Cat

I meant HD purchases through regional iTunes Stores

Understood.

DVDs are the best way to go for moives. YOU OWN it, play it anywhere, anytime with ZERO hassles.

There is also the kaleidescape system.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kaleidescape/id381807669?mt=8

For TV shows I still like Apple TV.

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Answer 11

NeddySeagoon Author

Level 1

63 points

Sep 2, 2010 3:37 PM in response to OzziesMAC

OzziesMAC wrote:
I am sure what you have is nice and as long as one is happy with their gear that is truly the bottom line. However 1080P with uncopressed audio being played on the proper gear will blow the doors out of 720P with compressed audio any time.

The AppleTV will do the job and it will probably hold a place where DIVX (circuit city) failed. I do see it as a usefull device however when that prized movie that I have been waiting for comes out I will get the Blu-ray and fire up the equipment that does a bit more than the job. 😀

Yes, but AppleTV is an inexpensive and convenient way to watch movies with great picture and sound quality. Plus it is a fun device to.

And you can view your photos and home movies on it.

I'm not in a situation where I can "blow the doors out" very often, but BluRay is on my list of "coming things".

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Answer 12

NeddySeagoon Author

Level 1

63 points

Sep 2, 2010 3:41 PM in response to Alley_Cat

Alley_Cat wrote:

NeddySeagoon wrote:
And will this new push of rental only on the new AppleTV lessen the chances of more HD movies being available to buy?

The chances of buying HD movies are already zero if you live outside the US.

Yes, and even the US store doesn't have very many HD titles for sale.

This is no doubt because of the studios, and not Apple's fault, but why?

The files are already there, why not just let customers have the option?
Does it cost the studios extra to add a PURCHASE HD MOVIE button?

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Answer 13

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,560 points

Sep 2, 2010 3:46 PM in response to NeddySeagoon

NeddySeagoon wrote:

Alley_Cat wrote:

NeddySeagoon wrote:
And will this new push of rental only on the new AppleTV lessen the chances of more HD movies being available to buy?

The chances of buying HD movies are already zero if you live outside the US.

Yes, and even the US store doesn't have very many HD titles for sale.

This is no doubt because of the studios, and not Apple's fault, but why?

The files are already there, why not just let customers have the option?
Does it cost the studios extra to add a PURCHASE HD MOVIE button?

What's maddening is they don't realise I'll refuse to pay for an SD download that's got worse quality than the DVD I can buy cheaper from Amazon.

I would however buy HD downloads IF they were available as I don't really want a load of discs cluttering my house anymore.

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Answer 14

Sep 2, 2010 3:50 PM in response to NeddySeagoon

I'm in the tv production business and although Blu-ray has better specs, I've been done with physical media for a couple of years now. For me, TV's specs are more than good enough for the convenience it brings to my family's life. No CDs, no DVDs, no Blu-Ray. Now if I could only get rid of gaming discs. 🙂

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Answer 15

Sep 2, 2010 3:57 PM in response to Alley_Cat

VERY true and well said, AC. I want to say I'll never understand Hollywood, but I think its simply that THEY don't understand and everyone is too scared to make a mistake - so they do nothing but protect. I know unlike you I can buy HD from iTunes, but even here I don't think its enough. I realize its not Apple's fault, but I now refuse to buy until its HD and has iTunes Extras.

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