Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iTunes 1080p Content Comes Close to Blu-ray Quality, But Can't Quite Match
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
This consumer doesn't consider it a "burden" to have stellar quality and sound. Or all the extras. Or nice box set package that makes great gifts unlike a bland impersonal giftcard.
i don't think it'll ever match blu-ray quality, not without file sizes increasing dramatically.
Honestly? I think you're seeing something that is or is not there. There isn't a chance that a movie looks better coming from iTunes than it does from a Blu-Ray source.
And speak for yourself. I don't think having blu-ray as a media or a player is a burden at all. And apparently consumers think the same since blu-ray sales were up 20% in 2011.
IMO, I don't think the cost advantage for digital-only formats is there, yet. They want to charge the same price as discs for a digital version with lower PQ. That's not good enough for me, yet. So I get the disc and I rip it, which takes effort, and I end up with better PQ and lower cost. Eventually, though (hopefully) the quality will be better and the price lower. This iTunes 1080p content may already be "good enough" for most people, but the price to *buy* a movie is still too high.
I'll add, though, that I'd probably be content with not owning anything, and just renting, but the rental costs and "time to watch" windows are also not desirable through iTunes. $5 for 24 hours when I can pay $1.50 for a Blu-ray disc with better PQ from Redbox? Get this down to $2.50 and 48 hours, and the whole landscape changes. I fully realize, though, that these pricing and rental-window issues are not within Apple's control, but rather the studios'.
How much does a BR disc cost today? I don't own a BR player and don't plan on buying one.
$8.99 to $22.99
The bottom third of the page shows Fry's BD section - like DVDs, newer releases are higher, older ones cheaper.
BDs have roughly reached the price level of DVDs.
http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com...=21712&version=Mercury&facing=false&pagenum=7
The bottom third of the page shows Fry's BD section - like DVDs, newer releases are higher, older ones cheaper.
BDs have roughly reached the price level of DVDs.
http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com...=21712&version=Mercury&facing=false&pagenum=7
Last edited:
Indeed. At if it's a choice between 19.99 for a blu-ray or 19.99 for an iTunes purchase - I would always (personally) go with the blu-ray. To me - it affords more options and ROI.
Blu ray is still King IMO.
I bought Captain America through iTunes on my iPad and really liked the convenience. However I could see the image quality was not there and this is with a plasma 50" screen.
Also, 5 bucks a rental is too much compared to 1.50 at redbox. It seems apple is providing good enough and not best. I look for best and streaming is still not up to par with blu ray. It's getting close but not there yet. My estimation is it will be there in 2 years.
I bought Captain America through iTunes on my iPad and really liked the convenience. However I could see the image quality was not there and this is with a plasma 50" screen.
Also, 5 bucks a rental is too much compared to 1.50 at redbox. It seems apple is providing good enough and not best. I look for best and streaming is still not up to par with blu ray. It's getting close but not there yet. My estimation is it will be there in 2 years.
This.
As a recent convert - finally - I can say that nothing currently beats the quality of blu ray. Not itunes content, not HD cable...nothing.
Well I don't notice a difference, really.
----------
Yup. The prices haven't even changed. The prices to rent are ridiculous, at least on iTunes. Google Movies, Amazon, and YouTube movies charge less for a rental.
----------
Yup. The prices haven't even changed. The prices to rent are ridiculous, at least on iTunes. Google Movies, Amazon, and YouTube movies charge less for a rental.