CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[deronmoped]

Has anyone noticed this? I have, especially in concert DVD's. All the concerts I have seen done in the past few years are a huge improvement over the older stuff.

What I think is happening is:

1) The equipment is better.

2) The camera men are better.

3) The transfer process is better.

4) There is more demand for a better product.

There is probably a ton of other reasons too. I think HD and all that is required to produce a truly good image has rubbed off onto SD DVD's in a really good way.

Deron.

[ecrabb]

Absolutely, and you're exactly right: Better equipment, better talent, bigger budget = much higher production value. Many of these programs are being completely produced in HD, meaning it was planned, shot, edited and mastered all in HD. It's only down-converted at the very end for SD distribution. Compare that to just 5 years or so ago when very few concert DVD's were even shot on film. Instead, most were shot on SD video.

Now, I just wish I felt like buying any SD-DVD's. I can hardly bring myself to do it. SD just looks so soft compared to HD in my theater. They can't pump out live concert videos in HD fast enough as far as I'm concerned. There are only a handful right now! I can't wait until I can buy HD-DVD or BD of some of my favorites. There are probably at least 15-20 artists I'd love to see on HD if I could get them. It's going to take awhile to get some into the pipeline because only the huge artists could afford/justify shooting HD or film until only recently (when the equipment got more affordable).

The Red camera may have an impact on concert video productions, too. A Red camera rig can be put together for under $50k vs. $150k+ for rigs like Sony CineAlta or Arri.

SC

[deronmoped]

Spoiled by excellent picture quality is one of the reasons I have not gone to HD, I probably own like fifty concert videos that are all SD, would hate to just toss them in the basket. The ones that I have that look like crap, I refuse to watch.

Ignorance is bliss!

Deron.

[ecrabb]

I've definitely been ruined by beautiful HD. I can watch SD... If I have to.

SC

[JustGreg]

And look how long the studios had to get ready for HD content. The USofA was supposed to have converted a couple years ago and they keep getting reprieves. Every year that goes by sees HD evolve and this gives the studios and TV networks time and budget to throw out Rev A and get Rev B and so on.

The great news is they're doing that and not just pocketing the $$$ only to roll out their HD broadcasts when it becomes mandatory only to have an inferior image.

I compare all HD when I watch it on disc (HD-DVD) to public broadcast stations. Have you seen some of the concerts??? MAN...I caught Springstein one night and Billy Joel another time and it was simply amazing. Even the audio delivery made my bubble gum and bailing wire system sound good.

Yup...it's getting exciting out there. I need more early adopters tho so I can scarf up some better stuff cheaper.

Greg

[KennyG]

Yeah, I think what we are actually seeing is that most of the new stuff is being recorded in HD, then down converted for the masses. SO what you have is a better source product, and it shows even in a SD broadcast.