What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

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RonV replied

02-02-2008, 08:37 AM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

Originally posted by RobertHodge View Post

I just watched ClockStoppers HD just for fun (not really my kind of movie).

It looked good on my 48" Aquos from the couch. But if I got up close to the screen, the picture seemed to quite a bit of small artifacts in it.

Is there a way to tell if the compression causes that or just the inherint quality of the content?

Do you have a movie that you particulary like for it's picture quality for me to compare?

Thanks!

Almost any compressed digital output will show some level of artifacts if you are too close to the screen.
Leave a comment:
redwein replied

02-01-2008, 10:51 PM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

Now that's a coincidence. I just finished watching Clockstoppers too.
Leave a comment:
aaronwt replied

02-01-2008, 08:58 PM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

Originally posted by GArmbruster View Post

I watched clockstoppers on my 119" screen. I thought it looked great. A campy movie for sure, but one I'd been wanting to watch for a few years. Watching in HD made it better.

I watched Clockstoppers tonight also.
Leave a comment:
HeadHodge replied

02-01-2008, 05:20 PM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

Originally posted by GArmbruster View Post

I watched clockstoppers on my 119" screen. I thought it looked great. A campy movie for sure, but one I'd been wanting to watch for a few years. Watching in HD made it better.

Yea, but how much of the screen can you see at once with that monster?
Leave a comment:
GArmbruster replied

02-01-2008, 03:47 PM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

Originally posted by RobertHodge View Post

I just watched ClockStoppers HD just for fun (not really my kind of movie).

It looked good on my 48" Aquos from the couch. But if I got up close to the screen, the picture seemed to quite a bit of small artifacts in it.

Is there a way to tell if the compression causes that or just the inherint quality of the content?

Do you have a movie that you particulary like for it's picture quality for me to compare?

Thanks!

I watched clockstoppers on my 119" screen. I thought it looked great. A campy movie for sure, but one I'd been wanting to watch for a few years. Watching in HD made it better.
Leave a comment:
HeadHodge replied

02-01-2008, 02:20 PM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

Originally posted by Nded View Post

I found the Transformers HD to be quite impressive visually and audibly.

Thanks for the replies. I'll give those a try.
Leave a comment:
Nded replied

02-01-2008, 02:12 PM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

I found the Transformers HD to be quite impressive visually and audibly.
Leave a comment:
NA9D replied

02-01-2008, 02:11 PM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

I thought the first StarTrek movie looked particularly good. I found some spots in StarTrek VI that looked like artifacts but turning off any of the image processing on my TV helped.

These little artifacts are why guys like aaronwt buy the HDMI Flea!

Originally posted by RobertHodge View Post

I just watched ClockStoppers HD just for fun (not really my kind of movie).

It looked good on my 48" Aquos from the couch. But if I got up close to the screen, the picture seemed to quite a bit of small artifacts in it.

Is there a way to tell if the compression causes that or just the inherint quality of the content?

Do you have a movie that you particulary like for it's picture quality for me to compare?

Thanks!
Leave a comment:
HeadHodge replied

02-01-2008, 02:06 PM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

Originally posted by NA9D View Post

Well, H.264 is one of the best video codecs/compression formats around today. The quality of the HD movies is way better than SD DVDs which use MPEG-2 as their file format. It's really not a tough call between Vudu and Netflix with a BluRay DVD. Vudu really wins all the way.

I just watched ClockStoppers HD just for fun (not really my kind of movie).

It looked good on my 48" Aquos from the couch. But if I got up close to the screen, the picture seemed to quite a bit of small artifacts in it.

Is there a way to tell if the compression causes that or just the inherint quality of the content?

Do you have a movie that you particulary like for it's picture quality for me to compare?

Thanks!
Leave a comment:
steveybaby replied

02-01-2008, 01:35 PM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

Originally posted by keidalgrim View Post

Maybe when the HD selection becomes a bit more comprehensive and current I would consider taking the plunge. Until then, it's tough to justify this one to the finance committee (wife).

Surely the finance committee can understand all the complaints from the netflix/blu-ray folks here:

http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=34479
Leave a comment:
NA9D replied

02-01-2008, 01:10 PM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

Originally posted by keidalgrim View Post

So I guess H.264 will allow for quality somewhere between a standard DVD and a high definition DVD.

It's still a tough call between VUDU and Netflix Blu-Ray. Maybe when the HD selection becomes a bit more comprehensive and current I would consider taking the plunge. Until then, it's tough to justify this one to the finance committee (wife).

TBD...

Thanks, all.

Keith

Well, H.264 is one of the best video codecs/compression formats around today. The quality of the HD movies is way better than SD DVDs which use MPEG-2 as their file format. It's really not a tough call between Vudu and Netflix with a BluRay DVD. Vudu really wins all the way.

Why don't you purchase a box and see how you like it. I think you are trying to convince yourself not to get one. If you do get it, you know you'll like it...But if you don't, you have 30 days to return it...
Leave a comment:
keidalgrim replied

02-01-2008, 12:23 PM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

So I guess H.264 will allow for quality somewhere between a standard DVD and a high definition DVD.

It's still a tough call between VUDU and Netflix Blu-Ray. Maybe when the HD selection becomes a bit more comprehensive and current I would consider taking the plunge. Until then, it's tough to justify this one to the finance committee (wife).

TBD...

Thanks, all.

Keith
Leave a comment:
aaronwt replied

02-01-2008, 09:19 AM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

Be forewarned though, VUDU is addictive.
Leave a comment:
NA9D replied

02-01-2008, 09:10 AM
Re: What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

The Vudu uses H.264 as the codec. I can't say how much compression but the quality is extremely good. Yes, a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD will have slightly better quality but the Vudu is quite good for what you get. Read the comments people have posted. The file size is between 3 and 5 GB depending on the movie.

In terms of the resolution it is 1080p/24 not 1080i. The box will convert the 1080p/24 to whatever resolution is supported by your equipment (with the exception of 1080p/60). 1080p/24 actually allows you to stream more data in the same amount of bandwidth. We've done the bit stream calculations elsewhere in the forums here as well.

Vudu has a 30 day money back guarantee. So buy a box and if you don't like it, simply return it w/in a month and get your money back.
Leave a comment:
keidalgrim started a topic What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

02-01-2008, 08:49 AM
What Compression (Codec) for HD content?

Can anyone tell me what compression method or codec is used on the HD content.

Obviously, the higher the compression, the more loss of quality. And if you're streaming content via the intertubes, there's going to be compression.

How much? What method?

Before I'm willing to commit to a box, I need to understand what sort of HD quality I can expect. I know the number is touted as 1080i/p, but that is useless is the compression method is sky high.

Thanks Vudu members.

Keith
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