spicyapple said:
DVD resolution is 720x486, so you're not missing a lot. In fact, if the videos were encoded to H.264 from a pristine master source, then the quality should be better than DVD. I say should because depending on the bitrate and transfer source, the quality could be lower.
Welllllll.... no, it's not. The DVD spec is actually a teribley confusing thing. It calls for 640x480 video file. Period. There is a seldom used "half-DVD" spec that most players will deal with OK, 320x240, although it doesn't seem to be a requirement to get DVD license approval (I have a portable DVD player that won't do half-DVD format, for example). DVD was designed arounf 4:3 TV sets, but since movies tend to be 16:9 or wider, and TVs become available in 16:9 during the lifetime of the DVD they "fudged" it.
The DVD spec doesn't call for a square pixel - it's ASSUMED it would be, since that's what would work for a 4:3 display. But, by using a non-square pixel, you can cram in 720x480 worth of video information, assuming you stretch it out to a square pixel over a wider display. That's what an anamorphic DVD is.
Now, you could probably do the same thing with an iTMS video file... I mean, it's possible. Would confuse your iPod a bit I assume (it would look stretched way out) and QT might have to be fooled with to play them back right, etc. Your HDTV, though, should correctly stretch it out for you (depending on the modes available for dealing with 4:3 content and how the iPod/iTV send out the video signal).
All of that said, on an 4:3 SDTV, these will look DVD. For a widescreen display, though, you won't get the aspect ratio, so you are missing quite a bit of the real picture. Now, on the other hand, the DVD spec calls for NTSC color, which sucks. Bad. H.264 if well mastered could deliver some really nice vibrant color, which goes a long way to making a nice picture.
If they have a cool promo for PotC2 on iTunes (good price, get a free item, soundtrack, early release, etc) I'll prolly check it out...
