03-03-2008, 05:32 AM
>Most of the DVD's in my collection are older films such as The Passion of Joan of Arc. I would not be immediately tempted to replace these with Blu-ray, particularly since in the case of Joan, the director specified the film was to be watched in total silence, thereby negating much of the benefit of an uncompressed sound track.
That is a great point, with some films the technology simply does not apply. On a side note, I belong to the camp that believes in digital restoration and clean up, but not things like Turner colorization or guns being digitally replaced with walkie talkies.
I'm all for director's edition etc, but the movie buff historian (and completist) side of me always wants a theatrical version available. It has nothing to do with which one is 'better', but more to do with preservation of context. (Even if I think the 'Blade Runner' theatrical version with the voice over is inferior to the director's cut, I still defend it's existence if nothing else for historical reasons.)
>I am pretty satisfied with my monitor for watching movies (except for black level where it is hard to beat a CRT).
It sounds like we have very similar setup. Though I still use a CRT monitor because of it's price and it's colour fidelity. But I for one can't wait until LCD or something else finally matches and surpasses those qualities, because I hate CRT's for it's bulky footprint, lower efficiency, and less than green components.
Having some time to think some more regarding monitors vs televisions though, I'm wondering if we're approaching the stage where we're just splitting hairs. Most TVs that are made nowadays are more computerized, and has less differences from a computer monitor. And the reverse seems to be true as well, though not as common. Monitors are still optimized for more frequent text use, but even this difference is beginning to become less clear, with tv's text rendering being improved.
It wouldn't surprise me if in the not so distant future people will just buy a 'display'. It can certainly lower the cost of manufacturing if it's streamlined in that sense.
>Popcorn is an issue though. My solution when viewing movies is to abstain from food.
When I go out to the theatres, I do the same thing, mainly because I hate missing out if I have to go the bathroom. (Though if it's a boring flick, I have no hesitation to do so.) When at home or I can pause the movie, that's less of an issue.